Facts for visitors: Helpful tips for business and leisure travellers

ETIQUETTE: In business meetings across Nigeria it is customary to exchange greetings and shake hands. As relationships and networking are important in the business community, it is common to open a meeting by engaging in casual discussion about health, family and travel. The host will generally indicate when the business discussion should commence.

DRESS: Western business attire is common and expected of foreign business people. Local businesspeople are known to wear either Western business attire or traditional Nigerian dress. In some offices, simple traditional attire is the preferred mode of dress on Fridays.

TRANSPORT: With mass transit still in short supply, intra-city travel in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt is best done by car. Yellow- or red-coloured taxis are readily available on city streets. Taxi fares are negotiable, but should generally be about N700-800 ($4.40-5.00) for a trip between Victoria Island and Ikoyi in Lagos, and cheaper in cities like Abuja. Most business travellers prefer the convenience and reliability of a private car and driver, which can cost N14,000 ($88) per day.

While longer trips are best made by air, passenger rail services have increased in the past year following a rail rehabilitation. Intercity train routes are currently available on such lines as Lagos to Kano.

HEALTH: A yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter Nigeria for both first-time and repeat visitors. Numerous private health facilities are available in the main cities, with registration fees commonly over N10,000 ($63). Anti-malarial medications are recommended for travellers, particularly if venturing into rural areas. Visitors should drink bottled or sachet water.

SAFETY: Historically, the main business districts in Lagos, like Ikoyi and Victoria Island, have enjoyed a lower risk profile than mainland Lagos. With a reasonable level of personal awareness, travellers can safely move about during the day. In general, foreigners should avoid unnecessary displays of wealth and travelling alone in low-income areas at night. In Lagos State the 24-hour emergency response phone line is 767.

LANGUAGE: The official language of Nigeria is English, spoken generally in a pidgin dialect. English is also the main language of commerce in Lagos, Abuja and the Niger Delta region. Over 500 indigenous languages can be heard throughout the country, with Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa being the most common.

COMMUNICATIONS: The country dialling code is +234. Landlines are rare in Nigeria, even for businesses. Most Nigerians and visitors use a mobile phone with one or more pre-paid SIM cards, which can be bought for approximately N100 ($0.63). Recharge cards for prepaid SIM cards are widely available at licensed mobile shops, convenience stores and street corners. Connection quality varies according to location and time. Internet access is common in commercial centres.

VISA: Citizens of the Economic Community of West African States can remain in the country without a visa for a period up to three months. For Western visitors visas must be obtained in advance. Visitors must apply for a visa in their country of origin, providing a letter of invitation from an institution or individual in Nigeria as well as proof of travel out of the country.

CURRENCY: The national currency is the naira (N), a free-floating currency. Bills come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000. The exchange rate in October 2013 stood at around N160:$1, N218:€1 and N256: £1. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at licensed exchange offices in major entry points.

TIPPING: Tipping of 5-10% is acceptable but not expected in restaurants, hotels or private taxis.

ELECTRICITY: For cities and rural areas connected to the main grid, power supply is irregular. As a result, businesses and homes in the main business districts and commercial centres rely on back-up generators. Nigeria has a 230-V, 50-Hz network. Two-pin EU and three-pin UK plugs are standard.

BUSINESS HOURS: For both the public and the private sectors the average workweek runs from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. In the predominantly Muslim north, business hours may vary during Ramadan.